Motoric Considerations

Performance optimization is the ultimate stage that finalizes the process of performance enhancement (Siekanska et al., 2021). Athletes aim to constantly improve sport performance, prevent underperformance, and achieve and maintain maximum performance, leading to an optimal or outstanding result (Kimiecik & Jackson, 2002). Optimizing performance is an essential feature of a successful performance, and it is usually based on adapting what has been learned during training to the needs of the competition (Gröpel & Mesagno, 2019). Sport performance optimization can involve not only the athletic, technical, and tactical aspects but also the psychological aspects, which are necessary to control and manage the competitive situations that inevitably (and often unpredictably) affect athletic performance. Within the field of sport psychology, performance optimization has been traditionally achieved through the application of cognitive behavioral approaches that are mainly focused on affective and cognitive functions (Winter & Collins, 2015). More recently, however, researchers and sport psychology consultants have shifted attention to the action to be performed and the motoric factors of performance (Carson et al., 2021). Since the turn of the 21st century, researchers have developed, scientifically tested, and applied several action-centered approaches. The general idea underlying these relatively new psychological approaches to sport performance optimization is that focusing on athlete movements and enhancing their action-related awareness is an effective and efficient strategy; ideally it is used as an addition to the more usual cognitive and emotional focus that has characterized sport psychology to date. This chapter presents the most recent and most used action-centered approaches that include a specific focus on the motoric aspects of sport performance.